New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-25
WHIT PEOPLE THINK AND SAP.
nETTrNG ON RACE TRACKS.

BETTING ON RACE TRACKS
A "HrGu LICENSE BILL FOR THE JOCKEY CLUBS.
TO the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR The Ives bill, which has boon introduced
at Albany with the support OF the American
Jockey Club and the Coney Island Jockey Club.
will really lessen gambling instead OF increasing
it. It is high license measure for racing and has
all the merits of high license as applied to liquor.
This bill proposes to confne speculation on races
to the grounds Of regularly organized associations
which will be permitted to open their gates fou
only twenty days in each year. These associa-
tons are to pay to the State handsome license
fee for their privileges.
Under the present law we see an unjust dis
elimination against jerome Park which must soon
result in the ruin of the American Jockey Club
unless some such measure as the Ives Dill Is
adopted. We see the law rigidly enforced on the
handsome grounds at Fordham, while poolrooms
thrive all over the city under the noses OF the
police and the Penal Code is made by-word and
Jest at Brighton Beach and Saratoga The au-
thorities of NewYoll< and Brooklyn have never
vet succeeded In suppressing betting, and they
never viii. II becomes question whether ID
shall 90 in the pool-rooms, which tempt Office
boys and young clerks from their duties and ruin
them body and SOUL or whether it shall be per-
mitted, for twenty days in the year only, on the
grounds of reputable jockey clubs, which will
surround it with proper limitations and restric-
TONS On the race-tracks only those who can
afford 10 bet are likely to do SO, and they VIII
not be cheated. In the pool-rooms the resorts OF
thieves and ritians, all sorts Of fraud are prac-
tised and the visitor is surrounded with the
vilest associates.
Licensed betting on decent race-traclks will re-
suit in the stamping out Of the poolrooms just
as high licenses for liquor result in closing the
lowest groggeries. II the Legislature does moth
ING this session. Jerome Park must be abandoned.
while the pool-rooms will prosper. But no matter
how rgidly the Penal Code may be enforced in
New York. it is sure to be defed in Kings County,
for the present District Attorney was reelected
last November on his record, which certainly did
not include the suppression Of betting Pools on
racing were a distinct and conspicuous issue In
that November election, and 1t is not to be ex-
pected that the present law can be executed on
Long Island this year more severely than in 1885,
But under the Ives bill Kings County viii not
be afflicted with pernicious excess of racing or
with the evils Of unrestricted pool-sellng and
book making
The question in q word is will the Legislature
ruin jerome Park for the benefit OF the pooh
rooms? FRIEND OF JEROME fARh.
..Netc- York. Feb. "a, 1887.
IL.
To the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: You have 80 persistently and ably urged tho
adoption OF the Crosby High License bill that would
ask your insertion of the steps by which 1t has
reached its present position
In 1888 issued pamphlet giving statistics show.
lug the extent OF the liquor traffic in New-York, and
suggesting first step to reform, the retirement Oh
the Board of Aldermen from their position OF control
in the appointment OF Excise Commissioners. This
was accomplished by the bill of the Hon. Theodore
Roosevelt aud an honest Board OF Excise became Tor
the rst time possibi ity Mr. Roosevelt also intro
duced our High License bill the same year which was
lost by combination OF liquor dealers and Prohi-
bitlonists. ,
The following year committee consisting of Judge
Arnoux Judge Peabody and General Swayne from
the Church Temperance Society; W. =. beecher,
Austin Abbot and Professor McCracken, from the
Society tor the Prevention OF Crime with Dr. Crosby
and myself drafted complete excise bill tor the
State OF New-lOrk. Ii aimed ut harnonlsing the
provisions OF the present law-retaned all the re-
strctive and prohibtory clauses and added a High
Licen e section OF which the present Crosby bill is
reproduction. 1t met with the same combined opposi-
ton OF the third probibitory party and the liquor
dealers and was defeated.
This GEAR we took in sail and introduced only
High License amendment limiting its application to
the cities OF New-York and Brooklyn. Your readers
are aware of the compact and uhhoy alliance by
which it has been met at every step The cant OF d.
Funk and the blasphemous rawlings oil the Rev. u.
M.ngins are fair samples OF the arguments used.
The t~ above mentioned societies stand behind the
bill which no. thanks to the outspoken opinions OF
the whole city press, and the enthusiasm OF the
citizens opinion fairly reused, stands lair
chance OF becmng law.
Once on the statute book and with Board OF Ex-
cise Commissioners who will frmly enforce its pro-
VISIONS New lork has now the opportunit. OF wiping
out halt OF the 900 saloons which debauch its
politics and broadcast crime and poverty among
its people. m
I hope tomorrow meeting will show that public
sentiment 10 earnest and ripe the question, aud
that may be able to telegraph to it, that the Excise
Committee Is prepared TO report the bill fayorabiy.
RORERT GRAHAM
Secretary Christian Temperance Society.
Albany, Feb "a, 1857